Water cannon and tear gas hit Myanmar protesters

This comes as foreign ministers of neighboring countries prepare to hold talks with the junta in a bid to find a peaceful way out of the crisis.

The coup halted Myanmar's tentative steps towards democracy after nearly 50 years of military rule, and has drawn condemnation and sanctions from the United States and other Western countries, and growing concern among its neighbors.

Hundreds of people have been arrested, according to activists, among them six journalists, one of whom works for the Associated Press.